Egypt is spearheading an urgent proposal to reconstruct Gaza while rejecting former U.S. President Donald Trump’s call to depopulate the territory. The plan emphasizes Palestinian sovereignty and aims to rebuild critical infrastructure without displacing the strip’s 2 million residents, challenging Trump’s vision of a U.S.-controlled Middle Eastern Riviera.
According to Egyptian officials, three secure zones will temporarily house displaced Palestinians during an initial six-month recovery period. International firms, including Egyptian and European contractors, will collaborate to clear rubble and restore roads, hospitals, and housing units—many destroyed during Israel’s 16-month military campaign.
This proposal refutes Trump’s logic,Egypt’s Al-Ahram stated, emphasizing its focus on preventing demographic shifts in Gaza.
Key challenges include negotiating a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as reconstruction hinges on finalizing the war’s second phase—hostage releases, troop withdrawals, and governance agreements. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Hamas’ involvement, while the Palestinian Authority demands inclusion in Gaza’s administration.
Funding remains critical, with plans for an international donor conference backed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The Egyptian blueprint outlines:
- A Palestinian-led interim government unaffiliated with Hamas or the PA
- A security force combining former PA officers and Western-trained personnel
- A five-year, $46 billion reconstruction timeline
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged openness to alternatives to Trump’s plan but stressed Israeli security concerns. European nations, including Germany and France, have cautiously endorsed Egypt’s efforts, viewing them as stabilizing amid escalating regional tensions.
With Gaza’s infrastructure damage exceeding $30 billion, Egyptian authorities project the plan could create tens of thousands of jobs. However, analysts warn stalled political negotiations risk prolonging the humanitarian crisis as Riyadh prepares to review the proposal ahead of this month’s Arab League summit.
